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Data Suggests Inflation-Impacted High-Income Consumers are ‘Trading Down’

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consumers are 'trading down' to high value products
Via CNBC [Photo: Joe Raedle | Getty Images}

High-Income Consumers are ‘Trading Down’ to High-Value Products

Walmart surprised analysts in its latest earnings report for its fiscal second quarter. After having issued a warning last month that its profit may drop as shoppers were feeling the effects of high inflation and focusing purchases on necessities like food rather than discretionary (and more profitable) items such as electronics. But on Tuesday, the company reported solid revenue increases and although earnings tightened a little, they still beat analysts’ forecasts.

In a tough economic environment for retailers, how did they do it? The company says they are attracting more middle- and high-income shoppers. These high-income consumers are ‘trading down’ – an effect that has been discovered in past times of economic slowdowns and recessions. And it seems to be happening now…

Read more about high-end customers trading down

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New Insights on Americans Expectations for Post-Pandemic Life & Work

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Americans expectations for the post-pandemic include ditching their masks

What a Difference a Year Makes!

New research from global researcher IPSOS and published by Quirks shows Americans are anxiously anticipating the post-pandemic period with a strong desire to reconnect with a ‘normal’ lifestyle. What do they crave? In some cases, the answer to that is predictable – and in other cases the answer is a surprise. But I found one thing interesting, the mood of their answers changes dramatically when Americans are asked about the topic of returning to work.

See the latest data on Americans expectations for the new ‘normal’

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Facing COVID-19 Fears: Eight Out of Ten Americans Fear a Second Wave

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Axios logo

A new survey from Ipsos/Axios had lots of interesting details about how Americans are feeling at this unique juncture in time, as states begin to reopen their economy, with a commensurate rise in cases of coronavirus. As many readers may know, this is an area…consumer sentiment…that I try to keep tabs on, as 70% of the U.S. economy is based on consumer sentiment.

And one piece of this research jumped off the page and grabbed me by my throat – 8 out of every 10 Americans worry about a second wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

See how consumers feel about COVID-19 now

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The Greatest Barrier to ‘Smart Home’ Adoption is Complexity, New Study Shows

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Smart Home survey cover page

Lots of studies have shown that consumer adoption of various smart home technologies and devices is growing…and that is undoubtedly true. But a new study shows that adoption is not as strong as it could be but for the complexity of installing and using smart home devices.

This Study has Some Chilling Data for Integrators. Check it out…

[Read more…] about The Greatest Barrier to ‘Smart Home’ Adoption is Complexity, New Study Shows

CEDIA 2019: Soundbars Here…Soundbars There…Soundbars Everywhere

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image of Denon subwoofer

The assimilation of the custom integration industry by the once-reviled, now embraced soundbar is almost complete. And on the advent of another CEDIA Expo, yet another round of announcements of new soundbar products came rolling out. While this fact is now an accepted reality, what is remarkable is that some of these new soundbars are from companies that no reasonable person would have predicted would enter the category just a few short years ago.

See some new soundbars being launched at CEDIA Expo 2019…

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Shocking Results for Tech in New Brand Reputation Poll

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A newly created poll by Axios and The Harris Poll reveals what Americans think of the reputation of the top 100 most visible companies in the U.S. Tech, as you might imagine, was well represented here, and this poll bared a difficult truth for many tech companies…their reputation is crashing.

See the surprising pluses & minuses for Tech companies…

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New Poll Shows Consumer Mood is Mixed

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Gallup logoFully 70% of the U.S. economy is based on consumer spending, so economic and market pros watch moves in consumer sentiment closely…and so do I. In a new poll from research expert Gallup, we find consumer sentiment mixed – curiously so, considering how strong the economy seems to be at the moment.

Find out what Gallup discovered about how consumers are feeling right now… [Read more…] about New Poll Shows Consumer Mood is Mixed

New Study Says Voice-Controlled Assistants Aren’t Used Daily

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eMarketer logoAs more research continues to emerge on consumer utilization of voice-controlled devices, it becomes clear that there are still impediments to end-users utilizing their voice-control capabilities regularly, according to research by Social Lens. A separate study by Nielsen reaffirms what Strata-gee has previously reported, that people use smart speakers more for listening to music, than for any other task…including voice-control of their home automation solutions.

See more on this pair of new studies on voice-controlled smart speakers… [Read more…] about New Study Says Voice-Controlled Assistants Aren’t Used Daily

Study Shows People Value Their Data Over Their Car

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eMarketer logoAfter years of shocking privacy breaches and the more recent Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal, consumers are becoming more and more concerned about the security of their personal data. This attitude is reflected in new privacy research survey in which a majority of respondents said they viewed their personal data as more valuable to them than even their car.

See this surprising upgrade in consumer concerns about their personal data… [Read more…] about Study Shows People Value Their Data Over Their Car

9 Years After Recession, Americans Still Feel Frugal

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Gallup logoMy grandparents lived through the Great Depression (1929-1939) and it changed their lives forever. As kids, we used to think they were weird. They never threw anything away. Bent nail? “I can hammer it straight again!” Small amount of left-over paint? “You can add thinner and turn it into plenty of white wash.” Hole in a sock? They would darn it! Clearly, dealing with that time of great financial distress changed forever the way they felt about money, spending, and saving.

Since the last recession in 2009, Gallup has been conducting a poll on Americans’ attitude on spending. Read on to see the results – they just might surprise you…

See the results of the latest Gallup poll showing American frugality continues… [Read more…] about 9 Years After Recession, Americans Still Feel Frugal